Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz could be forced to pulled out of the star-studded US Open mixed doubles tournament, according to reports.
The revamped event at Flushing Meadows is set to get underway on Tuesday with the two tennis superstars one of the teams in the draw.
But The Sun reports that Raducanu and Alcaraz’s partnership is in ‘doubt’ ahead of the two-day knockout competition due to a ‘logistical headache’.
Spanish world No.2 Alcaraz has reached the singles final at the Cincinnati Open and is now ‘likely’ to have to travel on the same day he andRaducanu play their first match against Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper.
It takes two hours to fly between Cincinnati in Ohio – where Alcaraz is currently in action – and New York, where the US Open is taking place.
There is still hope that Raducanu and Alcaraz will feature in the US Open mixed doubles, though, which has a massive prize pot of $1m (£739k).
Raducanu’s team are ‘hopeful’ Alcaraz will still play after making contact with his camp following the five-time major winner’s run to the Cincinnati final.
talkSPORT, meanwhile, reports that Alcaraz ‘seemingly still plans to play’ with British star Raducanu in the US Open mixed doubles.
There have long been rumours of a love interest between Raducanu and Alcaraz off the court – but that has never been confirmed by either player.
Raducanu and Alcaraz were announced as a doubles pairing for the US Open – the fourth and final Grand Slam tournament of the year – in June.
‘She’s going to be the boss,’ Alcaraz said about the partnership. ‘I’m super excited about it. I think it’s going to be great.
‘It was an amazing idea for the tournament. I know Emma since a really long time ago.
‘I have a really good relationship with her. It’s going to be interesting. We are both going to enjoy, for sure. I will try to put my doubles skill on it.
‘We will try to win. But obviously it’s going to be really, really fun.’
Raducanu laughed off rumours of a blossoming romantic relationship with Alcaraz earlier this summer, insisting the two stars are ‘just friends’.
If Raducanu and Alcaraz do feature in the US Open mixed doubles and battle their way past Pegula and Draper in their opener, the pair could then take on Novak Djokovic and his Serbian compatriot Olga Danilovic.
There are only 16 teams taking part – meaning that whoever wins in the first round will progress directly to the quarter-finals.
Wimbledon champion and world No.1 Jannik Sinner is also playing in the US Open mixed doubles having teamed up with Katerina Siniakova.
